by SF Benson
A smile tugs at her luscious lips. “Technically, we can stay here for as long as we wish. Tell me about this job with Ashmedai.”
“It’s the deal I struck with him to get you away from Colt. I have to let him know ‘bout rogue supernaturals. He wants me to go to New Orleans.”
Qadira lies beside me. “Moving to New Orleans will be a fresh start for us. I will relocate your shop to the French Quarter. Any time you want to see your family, say the word and I will bring them to us.”
I pull her into my arms and crush my lips to hers. These unfamiliar feelings I have for Qadira scare me. Peace replaces chaos. Light conquers the darkness in my life. Even if she couldn’t relocate Wicked Ink, I’d still want her by my side. My breathing catches. Reality dawns on me. This is love I feel for her.
Qadira’s arms wrap around my neck, and she presses her body against me. A dangerous position to be in right now.
“Cassius,” she whispers against my mouth. “I love you, too.”
Her words speak to my core. I wrap my arms around her shuddering body and nuzzle her neck. “Baby, you’re everything for me. I don’t need anyone else.”
Three months later…
Qadira found us a great location for Wicked Ink New Orleans on Frenchman Street in the Vieux Carré. The two-story building, between Royal and Chartres Streets, has an upstairs apartment—an oversized living room, an open kitchen, small bathroom, and a spacious bedroom full of windows. My love put her own colorful touches on the entire place. It’s inviting in shades of turquoise, deeper blues, and gold.
Downstairs, I have enough room to add employees to the business. Qadira told me I would no longer spend endless hours working. She didn’t have to say it. I no longer want to spend my nights with strangers.
I’m still getting used to having someone permanent in my life. Qadira means everything to me and more. Before I closed up the shop in Falls Creek, I called a trusted associate. Together we did one more design—matching tattoos for Qadira and me. My finger rubs the ink on the inside of my left wrist, an infinity heart symbol with the word Together. Our names occupy each of the hearts. There’s still one more thing I want to do—must do—for her.
The shop bell rings. I’m expecting to see Qadira burst in with another shopping bag. She’s fallen in love with all the quirky shops in the French Quarter. Thankfully, her father has kept her bank account full.
I turn around, and my mouth drops.
“Hello, cher,” Edwina drawls.
“What are you doing here?” I return to cleaning up my station.
“Is that any way to greet an ex?” She glides across the floor and stops beside me. “I’ve missed ya.”
Interesting choice of words since she said we had an arrangement.
“Feeling isn’t mutual.” The words come out flat. I side-glance at her. “What do you want?”
Edwina flinches. Unfortunately, she’s not one to be easily put off. “Just came to let ya know I’m in town.”
I drop my towel on the counter. “Is this permanent?”
“Yes, dawlin’. I’ve been called home. Something’s going on with my former coven. Kragen, the leader, contacted me.”
“Sounds serious,” I take a seat on a stool and lean forward. “How does this concern me?”
Edwina’s eyes dart around the space and land on Qadira’s photograph posted on my station. The she-vamp is speechless. Her watery gaze turns to me. She points a manicured finger at my wrist. “This is permanent?”
“Yes.” I smile and glance at Qadira’s picture. “You were right. I needed someone in my life on a regular basis.”
Edwina’s mouth turns down. “Just make sure she doesn’t break ya heart. Djinn can’t be trusted.”
“Neither can vampires.” I incline my head toward her. “I made an exception for you. Can we get back to why you came to see me?”
Edwina clears her throat. “I understand ya now work for Ashmedai. Ya need to meet some of the locals. There’s a young hybrid, part vamp and part sorceress, by the name of Morgan. She runs a secret society here.”
“The BlackGuard Society. Ashmedai told me about it.”
A dazed look crosses Edwina’s face.
I’m ready to wrap this conversation up. “Anyone else I need to meet?”
“Kragen, of course. Ya should also meet Morgan’s partner, Ace. He’s an alpha werewolf. Ya don’t want to get on his bad side.” Edwina stares at Qadira’s picture. “I can make the introductions for ya. Then I’ll disappear from ya life.”
I know it’s none of my business, but I ask anyway, “Is Hank with you?”
Edwina’s head jerks back. “He will be. Hank had some business to deal with first. Is that a problem?”
“No.” She had the chance to end things properly between us. “If Hank makes you happy, I’m glad he’ll be joining you. And thanks for the info. If I need your help, I’ll contact you.”
The front bell rings again. This time it’s my girl. Her arms are full of bags. I rush over to her.
“Are you gonna leave anything in the shops, babe?” I laugh and gather up the packages.
Qadira kisses my cheek. When she steps back, her eyes go straight to Edwina. “Why is she here?”
The she-vamp glides over to us. “Don’t get ya panties in a bunch, dawlin’. I’m back in town, but this is only a courtesy visit. Cash needs to meet some locals. I’ve offered to make the intros. Nothing more.”
“I said I’ll be in touch, Edwina.”
Her eyes sweep over Qadira before leaving my shop. I lock the door behind her.
“Closing so soon?” Qadira asks.
“Yeah. I’m taking you to dinner at Brennan’s. Reservation’s at six.”
Her lips curl up. “What should I wear?”
“That red dress I like.”
“And what will you be wearing?”
“Besides a smile?” I wink. “I’ll wear a suit just for you, babe.”
She smiles sweetly and walks down the hall.
A hostess sits us in a smaller dining room between the fireplace and the double French doors. No bright lights here. Sconces and chandeliers give the room a cozy, intimate touch. Qadira is stunning, as usual, in red. She needs no makeup, but tonight she painted her lips. It’s the cherry on top of the perfect sundae.
“What are you hiding, Cassius?”
I love how Qadira calls me by my full name. It’s like music to my ears. She pronounces it unlike anyone else—three syllables and the “s” has a hiss to it. “Nothing, babe. Not anymore.”
Her eyebrow quirks up.
I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. “Before you, I was a shell content to live a daily, mundane routine. It wasn’t living. There was no real joy. The night we bumped into each other you intrigued me. The first time we touched you set off a spark, and I haven’t been able to extinguish it. I don’t want to put it out. Lady, I went to Hell determined not to lose you.”
She blushes.
“You are indeed my key. You unlocked my heart, and it’s forever yours.” I pull out the red velvet box from my suit coat.
Qadira gasps.
“I can’t imagine living my life without you in it. Yes, we’re committed to each other, but I want more. I need the world to know you are mine. Please say you’ll be my wife.”
I open the box, remove the red-gold and black diamond engagement ring, and slide it on her finger.
“It is beautiful, Cassius. Where did you find it?”
“I had it made. The trinket, however, doesn’t compare to your beauty.” My hand is still holding hers. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Qadira covers my hand with hers. “Yes. Yes, I shall marry you.”
I look past my fiancée and nod. The waiter approaches the table with a bottle of champagne. He shows me the label before pouring two glasses and placing the bottle in a bucket near the table.
I lift my glass. “To my key, my
love.”
Her lips quirk. “All I do is for you, my heart.”
I may not know what our future holds, especially since I’ll be working for Ashmedai and the BlackGuard. No matter what happens, this female and I will face it together.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you so much for reading Qadira and Cash’s book. This story has been my favorite one to write so far. I wanted to create a relationship between two supernaturals not normally paired. Theirs is just the first of more romances between the different beings inhabiting Falls Creek.
As always, I thank those who continue to support me on my journey. I thank my husband and daughter for their patience and understanding of what I do.
I thank my editor, Tia Silverthorne Bach. Your help is so appreciated.
Thanks go out to my cover designer/editor, Suzanna Lynn of Funky Book Designs. You made the photo sing and totally captured the mood.
Of course, I thank Mom and Dad. Without you, none of this would have happened.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SF Benson, a Michigan native, resides in Georgia with her husband, a human daughter, and a couple of miniature fur kids (two female short-haired guinea pigs). At one time, she wrangled a household which included three Samoyeds, saltwater fish, a hamster, and three guinea pigs. She’s an avid bookworm who appreciates a well-written book regardless of genre. SF prefers writing stories about strong, diverse protagonists set in dystopian, science fiction, or paranormal worlds.
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COMING IN 2018!
Have you enjoyed reading about the supernaturals in Falls Creek? Don’t fret! There will be more tales of romance from this world.
Look for stories from:
Edwina Devereaux & Hank Richards
Worth the Fight, Book 1
Audra Nevers & Brady Romero
Something More, Book 2
Nate, the Soul Assassin & a Siren
All Our Tomorrows, Book 3
The Fates & The Judges
Weakness and Strength, Book 4
Uraeleus
Letting Go, Book 5